-- Of the Clippers being without Paul, Heat coach Erik Spoelstra said, "They're another level when they have him."

-- Of the significance of Wednesday's game, Rivers said, "We're in the West. Every game we play is important."

-- Rivers was asked to reflect back on what most impressed him about Heat guard Ray Allen during their time together with the Celtics. "His ability to make big shots and his professionalism," he said. "And his professionalism probably would be first."

-- Rivers said he has Redick running many of the same sets he utilized with Allen.

-- Rivers, on what most impresses him about LeBron, "He's like Magic Johnson as far as his passing, but he's a scoring Magic Johnson."

-- Spoelstra, on why Blake Griffin has blossomed, "I think time, maturity, they're running a system that fits him very well. He's improved his game, his shooting, his decision-making. He's had a terrific year."

-- And of DeAndre Jordan, Spoelstra said, "Every time we play him, he's a different player."

-- Spoelstra, going in, "We know what championship defense looks like and we're not there yet."

-- Spoelstra, on his goals for this six-game trip, "Our group is very connected, they're very close. But we've got to put together some real tough-minded performances on this trip."

-- He said he's ready for a series of best games from opponents on their home courts, "You don't want games you can sleepwalk through. When you get your opponent's best effort every night, that's good for you."

-- Spoelstra, on the difference of playing on the road, "And at some point, three, four, five times during the course of these type of games on the road, you're going to be tested emotionally, mental toughness. And we have to respond."

-- Spoelstra downplayed the notion of targeting homecourt advantage in the playoffs as a goal, "It never has been. Even in the last three years, we've never, once camp starts, that first step, that first day of training, we don't talk about winning a championship. It's always about the process."